Garrett County Arts Council Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
GCAC'S VISION IS FOR GARRETT COUNTY TO HAVE A VIBRANT AND SUSTAINABLE ARTS COMMUNITY FOR ARTISTS, THEIR AUDIENCES, AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. THE ARTS CONNECT OUR SHARED HUMANITY, AND TRANSFORM INDIVIDUALS AND OUR GARRETT COUNTY COMMUNITY AND REGION. GCAC IS COMMITTED TO ADVANCING AND MODELING EQUITY, DIVERSITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND INCLUSION IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR PROGRAMS AND EVENTS, EMBRACING EQUITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION REGARDLESS OF RACE, RELIGIOUS CREED, COLOR, AGE, GENDER EXPRESSION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, CLASS, LANGUAGE, AND/OR ABILITY.
- Income
- $553,757
- Spending
- $531,547
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 11.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 46%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 33
- Highest pay
- $77,677, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $58,341 spent. THE GALLERY SHOP AND THE GALLERY SHOP, TOO AT GRANT'S MERCANTILE: A PROGRAM OF THE GARRETT COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL TO SUPPORT BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE GALLERY SHOP IS A RETAIL STOREFRONT IN THE HEART OF THE OAKLAND ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT PROVIDING A VENUE FOR LOCAL VISUAL ARTISTS TO SHOW AND SELL THEIR ARTWORK. MONTHLY SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS WITH LECTURES, WORKSHOPS AND DEMONSTRATIONS, AND ENTERTAINMENT WERE SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS/HEIGHT OF TOURISM, WE OFFERED EIGHT SATURDAY MORNING VISUAL ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS IN MEDIUMS SUCH AS COLORED PENCIL, OIL AND COLD WAX, QUILLING, PAPER-CUTS, BASKET WEAVING, TATTING, WOODTURNING, BALLOON SMASH ART, AND YARN SPINNING. DUE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE GALLERY SHOP, GCAC OPENED THE GALLERY SHOP, TOO IN GRANT'S MERCANTILE IN THE GRANTSVILLE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT TO OFFER ARTISTS, ARTISANS AND RURAL ENTREPRENEURS ANOTHER ACCESSIBLE ARTIST MARKETPLACE AND WORKSHOP/DEMONSTRATION SPACE ALONG THE I-68 INTERSTATE. AS PART OF A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MOUNTAIN FRESH FARMERS MARKET, THE GALLERY SHOP AND THE GALLERY SHOP, TOO AT GRANT'S MERCANTILE FEATURE LOCAL, GARRETT COUNTY FOOD PRODUCERS AND ARTISANS TO INCREASE THEIR BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT YEAR-ROUND AS PART OF CULINARY ARTS PROGRAMMING DEVELOPMENT. IN FY25, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS, ARTISANS, RURAL ENTREPRENEURS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES TO COME TOGETHER TO PARTICIPATE IN ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES/EVENTS, LECTURES AND SOCIALIZATION IN BOTH GRANTSVILLE AND OAKLAND LOCATIONS. THE GALLERY SHOP AND THE GALLERY SHOP, TOO AT GRANT'S MERCANTILE: A PROGRAM OF THE GARRETT COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL TO SUPPORT BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE GALLERY SHOP IS A RETAIL STOREFRONT IN THE HEART OF THE OAKLAND ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT PROVIDING A VENUE FOR LOCAL VISUAL ARTISTS TO SHOW AND SELL THEIR ARTWORK. MONTHLY SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS WITH LECTURES, WORKSHOPS AND DEMONSTRATIONS, AND ENTERTAINMENT WERE SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS/HEIGHT OF TOURISM, WE OFFERED EIGHT SATURDAY MORNING VISUAL ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS IN MEDIUMS SUCH AS COLORED PENCIL, OIL AND COLD WAX, QUILLING, PAPER-CUTS, BASKET WEAVING, TATTING, WOODTURNING, BALLOON SMASH ART, AND YARN SPINNING. DUE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE GALLERY SHOP, GCAC OPENED THE GALLERY SHOP, TOO IN GRANT'S MERCANTILE IN THE GRANTSVILLE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT TO OFFER ARTISTS, ARTISANS AND RURAL ENTREPRENEURS ANOTHER ACCESSIBLE ARTIST MARKETPLACE AND WORKSHOP/DEMONSTRATION SPACE ALONG THE I-68 INTERSTATE. AS PART OF A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MOUNTAIN FRESH FARMERS MARKET, THE GALLERY SHOP AND THE GALLERY SHOP, TOO AT GRANT'S MERCANTILE FEATURE LOCAL, GARRETT COUNTY FOOD PRODUCERS AND ARTISANS TO INCREASE THEIR BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT YEAR-ROUND AS PART OF CULINARY ARTS PROGRAMMING DEVELOPMENT. IN FY25, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS, ARTISANS, RURAL ENTREPRENEURS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES TO COME TOGETHER TO PARTICIPATE IN ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES/EVENTS, LECTURES AND SOCIALIZATION IN BOTH GRANTSVILLE AND OAKLAND LOCATIONS.
- $39,009 spent. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS: GRANTSVILLE AND OAKLAND THE GARRETT COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL SERVES AS THE MANAGING ENTITY FOR BOTH OF OUR GARRETT COUNTY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS. MARYLAND'S ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT (A&E) DISTRICTS HELP DEVELOP AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM, AND REVITALIZATION THROUGH TAX-RELATED INCENTIVES THAT ATTRACT ARTISTS, ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER CREATIVE ENTERPRISES TO TOWNS ACROSS THE STATE. A PART-TIME STAFF POSITION WAS FILLED IN 2020 (A&E DISTRICT COORDINATOR) TO MANAGE THE CREATION, EXECUTION, AND MARKETING OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES WITHIN BOTH A&E DISTRICTS. BOTH A&E DISTRICTS UNDERWENT STRATEGIC PLANNING IN FY21 TO ASSIST WITH PROGRAMMING GOALS MOVING FORWARD IN PREPARATION FOR THEIR STATE RE-DESIGNATION PROCESSES THAT WILL BEGIN IN 2024 (GRANTSVILLE) AND 2026 (OAKLAND). BOTH A&E DISTRICTS RUN AN AVERAGE OF 12 COMMUNITY EVENTS ANNUALLY PLUS THEIR NEW, PUBLIC ART PROGRAMMING, WHICH REQUIRE STAFF COORDINATION AND SUPPORT. DUE TO DEMONSTRATED WORKLOAD AND FUNDING AVAILABILITY, GCAC WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE A&E DISTRICT COORDINATOR A FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT POSITION IN FY24. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS: GRANTSVILLE AND OAKLAND THE GARRETT COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL SERVES AS THE MANAGING ENTITY FOR BOTH OF OUR GARRETT COUNTY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS. MARYLAND'S ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT (A&E) DISTRICTS HELP DEVELOP AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, TOURISM, AND REVITALIZATION THROUGH TAX-RELATED INCENTIVES THAT ATTRACT ARTISTS, ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER CREATIVE ENTERPRISES TO TOWNS ACROSS THE STATE. A PART-TIME STAFF POSITION WAS FILLED IN 2020 (A&E DISTRICT COORDINATOR) TO MANAGE THE CREATION, EXECUTION, AND MARKETING OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES WITHIN BOTH A&E DISTRICTS. BOTH A&E DISTRICTS UNDERWENT STRATEGIC PLANNING IN FY21 TO ASSIST WITH PROGRAMMING GOALS MOVING FORWARD IN PREPARATION FOR THEIR STATE RE-DESIGNATION PROCESSES THAT WILL BEGIN IN 2024 (GRANTSVILLE) AND 2026 (OAKLAND). BOTH A&E DISTRICTS RUN AN AVERAGE OF 12 COMMUNITY EVENTS ANNUALLY PLUS THEIR NEW, PUBLIC ART PROGRAMMING, WHICH REQUIRE STAFF COORDINATION AND SUPPORT. DUE TO DEMONSTRATED WORKLOAD AND FUNDING AVAILABILITY, GCAC WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE A&E DISTRICT COORDINATOR A FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT POSITION IN FY24.
- $180,508 spent. MART ART'S RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WORKSHOPS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS: IN SEPTEMBER 2020, WITH FUNDING SUPPORT FROM BOTH THE MARYLAND STATE ARTS COUNCIL AND RURAL MARYLAND COUNCIL, GCAC IMPLEMENTED THE STRATEGICALLY PLANNED MART ART: SHARED WORKSPACE IN THE OAKLAND A&E DISTRICT, AN ADA- ACCESSIBLE SHARED COMMUNITY WORKSPACE EQUIPPED WITH A VARIETY OF DIGITAL AND TRADITIONAL TOOLS/PROCESSES AND SERVICES THAT ASSIST RURAL ART ENTREPRENEURS TO FLOURISH IN THE GLOBAL DIGITAL BASED ECONOMY. THE DEVELOPMENT OF GCAC'S MART ART PROGRAM AND SPACES WAS BOTH A TIMELY RESPONSE TO THE UNPREDICTED COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND AN INFORMED GCAC ORGANIZATIONAL GOAL TO RESPOND TO SURVEY DATA AND MEMBERSHIP FEEDBACK INDICATING THE NEED FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES TO HELP OVERCOME THE LACK OF SKILLS IN DIGITAL PLATFORMS, PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND BUSINESS ACUMEN NECESSARY FOR EXPANDING SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP. IN ADDITION TO WORKSPACES EQUIPPED WITH ART SUPPLIES, COMMUNITY WORKTABLES, AND GALLERY HANGING SYSTEMS FOR ARTISTS, ENTREPRENEURS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO USE, WE HAVE DESKTOP COMPUTERS, A 70" MONITOR FOR VIRTUAL MEETINGS AND EVENTS, IPADS, A DIGITAL CAMERA AND LIGHTBOX TO USE FOR MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS, A PACKING STATION TO SHIP PRODUCTS. ARTISTS, EDUCATORS AND PROFESSIONALS ARE EMPLOYED BY GCAC IN A RESOURCE CAPACITY INCREASING THEIR PERSONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SO OUR RURAL ARTISTS, ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE REGION ARE ALSO BEING SUPPORTED. THE PHYSICAL TRANSFORMATION OCCURRED AT 108 S. 2ND STREET, IN THE HEART OF THE OAKLAND A&E DISTRICT. CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2021, WITH ADDITIONAL ONLINE, FREE PROGRAMMING OFFERINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY STARTING IN MARCH 2021. GCAC'S MART ART PROJECT WAS BOTH A TIMELY RESPONSE TO THE UNPREDICTED COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND AN INFORMED ORGANIZATIONAL GOAL TO RESPOND TO SURVEY DATA AND MEMBERSHIP FEEDBACK INDICATING THE NEED FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES TO HELP OVERCOME THE LACK OF SKILLS IN DIGITAL PLATFORMS, PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND BUSINESS ACUMEN NECESSARY FOR EXPANDING SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP. GCAC STAFF AND CONTRACTED PROFESSIONALS WILL PROVIDE KEY EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WITH THE CREATION OF ADDITIONAL NEEDED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND PROFESSIONALS TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESOURCE CAPACITY. MART ART'S RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WORKSHOPS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS: IN SEPTEMBER 2020, WITH FUNDING SUPPORT FROM BOTH THE MARYLAND STATE ARTS COUNCIL AND RURAL MARYLAND COUNCIL, GCAC IMPLEMENTED THE STRATEGICALLY PLANNED MART ART: SHARED WORKSPACE IN THE OAKLAND A&E DISTRICT, AN ADA- ACCESSIBLE SHARED COMMUNITY WORKSPACE EQUIPPED WITH A VARIETY OF DIGITAL AND TRADITIONAL TOOLS/PROCESSES AND SERVICES THAT ASSIST RURAL ART ENTREPRENEURS TO FLOURISH IN THE GLOBAL DIGITAL BASED ECONOMY. THE DEVELOPMENT OF GCAC'S MART ART PROGRAM AND SPACES WAS BOTH A TIMELY RESPONSE TO THE UNPREDICTED COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND AN INFORMED GCAC ORGANIZATIONAL GOAL TO RESPOND TO SURVEY DATA AND MEMBERSHIP FEEDBACK INDICATING THE NEED FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES TO HELP OVERCOME THE LACK OF SKILLS IN DIGITAL PLATFORMS, PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND BUSINESS ACUMEN NECESSARY FOR EXPANDING SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP. IN ADDITION TO WORKSPACES EQUIPPED WITH ART SUPPLIES, COMMUNITY WORKTABLES, AND GALLERY HANGING SYSTEMS FOR ARTISTS, ENTREPRENEURS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO USE, WE HAVE DESKTOP COMPUTERS, A 70" MONITOR FOR VIRTUAL MEETINGS AND EVENTS, IPADS, A DIGITAL CAMERA AND LIGHTBOX TO USE FOR MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS, A PACKING STATION TO SHIP PRODUCTS. ARTISTS, EDUCATORS AND PROFESSIONALS ARE EMPLOYED BY GCAC IN A RESOURCE CAPACITY INCREASING THEIR PERSONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SO OUR RURAL ARTISTS, ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE REGION ARE ALSO BEING SUPPORTED. THE PHYSICAL TRANSFORMATION OCCURRED AT 108 S. 2ND STREET, IN THE HEART OF THE OAKLAND A&E DISTRICT. CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2021, WITH ADDITIONAL ONLINE, FREE PROGRAMMING OFFERINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY STARTING IN MARCH 2021. GCAC'S MART ART PROJECT WAS BOTH A TIMELY RESPONSE TO THE UNPREDICTED COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND AN INFORMED ORGANIZATIONAL GOAL TO RESPOND TO SURVEY DATA AND MEMBERSHIP FEEDBACK INDICATING THE NEED FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES TO HELP OVERCOME THE LACK OF SKILLS IN DIGITAL PLATFORMS, PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND BUSINESS ACUMEN NECESSARY FOR EXPANDING SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP. GCAC STAFF AND CONTRACTED PROFESSIONALS WILL PROVIDE KEY EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WITH THE CREATION OF ADDITIONAL NEEDED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND PROFESSIONALS TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESOURCE CAPACITY.
- $139,162 spent. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF ARE COMMITTED TO AIDING, ENCOURAGING, ADVISING, AND COORDINATING ACTIVITIES DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL ARTS IN GARRETT COUNTY, AND TO INTEGRATE SUCH ACTIVITIES INTO THE LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY. SUCH PROGRAMMING AREAS THE GARRETT COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL CONTINUES TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN ARE: ARTIST STUDIO TOUR; ARTS- IN-EDUCATION WITH GARRETT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY; LITERARY ARTS: GINSENG, PAGE-TO-STAGE, PLAY BAKE OAKLAND WRITING & LITERATURE CLUB, AND PIRATES, POETS & SCRIBES; GRANT-MAKING IN THE ARTS: ARTS-IN-EDUCATION, PROGRAM/PROJECT, INDEPENDENT ARTISTS AWARDS AND EMERGENCY ARTIST RELIEF FUND AWARDS; GRANTSVILLE AND OAKLAND ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS; PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT GARRETT COLLEGE; PUBLIC ART PROGRAMMING; THE GALLERY SHOP AND THE GALLERY SHOP, TOO AT GRANT'S MERCANTILE; AND MART ART'S RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WORKSHOPS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.
- THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF ARE COMMITTED TO AIDING, ENCOURAGING, ADVISING, AND COORDINATING ACTIVITIES DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL ARTS IN GARRETT COUNTY, AND TO INTEGRATE SUCH ACTIVITIES INTO THE LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY. SUCH PROGRAMMING AREAS THE GARRETT COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL CONTINUES TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN ARE: ARTIST STUDIO TOUR; ARTS- IN-EDUCATION WITH GARRETT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY; LITERARY ARTS: GINSENG, PAGE-TO-STAGE, PLAY BAKE OAKLAND WRITING & LITERATURE CLUB, AND PIRATES, POETS & SCRIBES; GRANT-MAKING IN THE ARTS: ARTS-IN-EDUCATION, PROGRAM/PROJECT, INDEPENDENT ARTISTS AWARDS AND EMERGENCY ARTIST RELIEF FUND AWARDS; GRANTSVILLE AND OAKLAND ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS; PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT GARRETT COLLEGE; PUBLIC ART PROGRAMMING; THE GALLERY SHOP AND THE GALLERY SHOP, TOO AT GRANT'S MERCANTILE; AND MART ART'S RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WORKSHOPS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1995.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.